NS Design WAV4 megathread part II

Gary Lynch · #1 03-19-2009, 03:20 PM

They will be ok. TI's have low tension. I love them. Probably be easy on raising the saddle/bridge, take tension off of it. They sound 100% better with pro strings on them.

Matthijs · #2 03-20-2009, 07:34 AM

Tried the Thomastiks, surprisingly they're not a real improvement. The playability is much closer to my urb, which is a good thing. Soundwise it's not a perfect match though. They sound more 'grown up', but the forecefull nature of the Thomastiks is just a little to much and they do not add much warmth. I can see why one would go for more gut-like strings.

Thing is: I want the feel of the wav to be as close to my urb as possible because I want to use it for rehearsals and keep on using the real thing for gigs. Any suggestions for a string that has the feel of Thomastiks and the warmth of gut?

Besides this: I can also see the problem with high tension strings. Those tiny tuners already have a struggle with the Thomastiks.

bluegrassboy · #3 03-20-2009, 07:55 AM

To me, the size of those tuners is the one real weak spot in the WAV design. I use Obligatos and they seem to work well. As far as transferring from the WAV to my URB, I use Innovation Rockabilly's on my URB...so there's a bit of a difference. But, the Obligatos are close enough to a gut like sound for me. I'm considering trying the Rockabillys on the WAV. But, the Wav and an URB are two different animals. Similar, but not the same.

Gary Lynch · #4 03-20-2009, 05:25 PM

I tried a lot of setting with my preamp, it has many to chose from. And I tried a lot of settings using it with my GK 150MBS. I do not think the WAV 4 will ever sound like a DB. I get some ok lows but it seems to want to have the hybrid electric tone on most of the notes. It has it's place but will never be a DB sound that's for sure. I have been using it for alterative type tunes. I even put a delay pedal on it and it gets pretty far out there. Real spacey.

I went for the more gut sound just to try to knock that synthetic tone down some and it worked for me ok. But it's still a WAV 4.

I just bounce back to my DB every other practice session for my fix of earth tones. The other thing a WAV is great for is trying a lot of note combos and chord combos. So much easier on it than a DB. It is great for a practice tool in that regard.

Gary Lynch · #5 03-20-2009, 05:29 PM

At some point I may install new tuners. Just about any quality electric bass tuner would be an improvement.

Bard2dbone · #6 03-22-2009, 05:58 PM

Is there a recommended tuner to upgrade to? Something that is intended to handle URB strings, not BG strings(Yes I know there isn't much difference, but there is bound to be some.)

frede · #7 03-22-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skabass

This looks like the right model (Hipshot Ultralites), but the wrong size. The Ultralites come in 3/8 and 1/2 post sizes. The 3/8 is closer to the size of the Wav's bore holes. Also, no need to worry about left and right - the tuning key can be disassembled with an allen wrench and switched to either side. Here they are on Hipshot's website: http://www.hipshotproducts.com/cart....t_detail&p=102

Did someone mention tuners? I got these, too busy playing to install them, but I got 'em, sittin' right here, where's that drill?

Matthijs · #8 03-23-2009, 05:03 AM

I realise in my post about Thomastiks I didn't mention they were Spirocores. I've now even changed back to the original strings, have to say it was a really old and tired set of spirocores though.

I will try a more gut like set, has anyone tried the Thomastik Dominants yet?

**Francois Blais** · #9 03-23-2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthijs

I will try a more gut like set, has anyone tried the Thomastik Dominants yet?

You mean on the WAV4?

Please note Dominants will not work very well with magnetics pickups though.

Matthijs · #10 03-23-2009, 08:31 AM

Yes, I mean on the WAV, I'm sure people tried dominants on other instruments. This still is the wav 4 megathread is it?

Someone else posted the same question several pages back, no answer from someone who actually tried them though.

The string gauge for the dominants should be just within the possibilities for the wav (E is 3,5 mm). I received a prompt answer on this from Thomastik-Infeld just now. They also warned me dominants might be sensitive to breakage when not used in a standard urb peg.

**Francois Blais** · #11 03-23-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthijs

The string gauge for the dominants should be just within the possibilities for the wav (E is 3,5 mm). I received a prompt answer on this from Thomastik-Infeld just now. They also warned me dominants might be sensitive to breakage when not used in a standard urb peg.

They're HYPER sensitive to breakage, I'd say.
The metal wound part must NOT reach the peg at all. (well for the G, I found it was okay, but not with the others)
I don't play a WAV4, but the same consideration applies to every other bass.

You may wish to try Obligatos or Evahs instead as they don't have that concern.

Gary Lynch · #12 03-23-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frede

Did someone mention tuners? I got these, too busy playing to install them, but I got 'em, sittin' right here, where's that drill?

Unless I missed it, the info on the web page does not give all the specifications. I would want to know the shaft size that is visible after installation to make sure they are comfortably longer and larger diameter.

bassrebel · #13 03-23-2009, 03:48 PM

would this bass be suitable for playing salsa?

I know everyone loves the baby bass for latin and salsa, I'm just looking at different options.

I have a LMKII with a schroeder 2x12"

bluegrassboy · #14 03-23-2009, 05:21 PM

Salsa? I don't see why not. I've played everything from rock to contemporary christian to bluegrass on mine.

spooner2112 · #15 03-24-2009, 12:56 PM

Hello,

I'm thinking about getting my first EUB, probably the NS Wave, and I have a few newb questions. First of all, here is my situation:

-- I've been playing bass (and gigging) for over 20 years, but I've never played an UB or even a fretless.

-- I'm not very confident about my intonation or ear, so I'll definitely need the fret markings, at least at first.

-- I play in a blues band that also does a little country and jazz. I want to play an EUB for just some of our set because I think it will sound cool for some of our tunes and be fun to play.

I'm willing to spend up to about $1500. Besides the NS Wave, I'm also considering a Kydd. However, that EUB only has some markings on the side of the neck.

1. Anyone have any comments on the NS Wave vs the Kydd? Not necessarily which one is "better" but how would you describe the differences? I was able to play a Kydd in a local music store and like the tone, but I haven't played a NS.

2. I intend to play a fretted P bass and the EUB each for about half a gig. Is there any problem plugging the EUB directly into the same rig I use for the P bass? I play through either a Trace Elliot or GK 1001-RB II head with a Schroeder 21012 cab. I also have a Sansamp Bass DI I just bought. Is it necessary that I use it with the EUB?

3. Are there any other EUBs I should be considering?

Thanks in advance!

bluegrassboy · #16 03-24-2009, 02:48 PM

I'm not familiar with the Kydd, so I can't offer a comparison. But, in answer to one of your questions, there should be no problem using the same rig you plug your P-bass into (I do). You may want to plug into the Sansamp to boost the signal before going to the rest of your rig. Should work just fine.

Gary Lynch · #17 03-25-2009, 11:40 AM

If you use a good preamp that has many options for tone control, you can do it.

JBuckley · #18 03-25-2009, 12:31 PM

So back in December I thought I was being all slick by ordering one of these from Musicians Friend. They said it would ship in the first week of January. I had been watching this thread but I thought maybe NS Designs had a few in stock for the big retailers while a smaller specialty shop like Gollihur, with their very honest updates, would have to wait longer.

That ship date came and went, and they upped it a few more days. Then a few more weeks, then a month. Then another month. I called NS Design to see if the latest ship date was realistic. They said yes. Yesterday the ship date was set for tomorrow. Today they upped it another month. I canceled my order and called up Gollihur. Mark said they have a few in stock and one of them now has my name on it! So now I just have to wait a couple days until paypal verifies my amex and that baby is mine, giving me a few months to get the hang of it before my first gig with it!

The moral of this story... forget the big retailers and go with the experts. Nobody from Musicians Friend are on these boards giving us the real deal.

bluegrassboy · #19 03-25-2009, 12:38 PM

Congrats! Enjoy your new bass!

spooner2112 · #20 03-26-2009, 07:54 AM

I ordered my NS WAV, amber burst finish, from Gollihur Music yesterday, and it's scheduled to arrive today!!

I've never even played a fretless bass, much less any type of upright. Guess I'll have lots of practicing to do.